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Thank you for taking the time to read the 2015 Youth Declaration.
This document reflects the views of the 196 young people from across the
nation who took part in the Aotearoa Youth Declaration conference this year. It
is the result of weeks of hard work and research ending in four days of learning,
discussions and debate. The statements in the following pages represent the
compromises that were reached by a representative group of high school
students who wish to have their voices heard in the policy making decisions of
Aotearoa New Zealand.
Aotearoa Youth Declaration is an annual civics education conference, that
creates a platform for rangatahi to express their views on issues of public policy.
Taking place from the 8th - 11th of April, the four days consisted of community
outreach programmes, workshops, group discussions and industry speakers,
involving over 50 external organisations and persons.
Discussions took place in Focus Groups on 15 policy areas, with each Focus
Group broadly aligned with parliamentary select committees. Throughout four
days of intense discussion, each group crafted several statements, which are
then debated and adopted by a plenary of all participants. The statements have
been ranked in terms of importance, with each group highlighting their priority
policy issue. These priority statements represent the key problems that our
young people think need to addressed.
The power to act on these statements now rests with you. Every individual
has the capacity to bring about change in their communities, no matter how
young or old. We hope that you will spread these recommendations through
your communities, to show that age is no barrier to holding intelligent, nuanced
opinions, and to give the youth voice the weight it truly deserves.
Yours sincerely,
Gina Yukich
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The Civic Engagement was held and facilitated entirely online. This was a new
initiative in 2015 that digitally replicated the methodology of Focus Group sessions
at the conference. With a key goal of making the Youth Declaration a truly accessible
and representative document, the Online Focus Group dramatically reduced
traditional barriers to engagement with the Declaration such as cost, distance and
time. Participants engaged with discussion topics, wrote draft statements and voted
on proposals to collaboratively form their collective opinion. The Online Focus Group
was freely available to all high-school students, with traditionally underrepresented
groups actively encouraged to contribute. The statements created through the
Online Focus Group represent within themselves the desire and potential for youth
engagement through novel and emerging platforms.
EDUCATION
5.1. We believe that schools should have a more equal focus on all aspects of
learning, accommodating for different learning styles. A holistic approach to
education is instrumental to producing well-rounded citizens. We believe the
government should work with schools to ensure that such an approach is taken
seriously by the school, teachers and students.
5.2. We strongly urge a review of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement
(NCEA) system to accommodate a larger focus on allowing teachers and students to explore
certain topics more deeply. We encourage NCEA to include a greater emphasis on:
a. Strengthening critical analysis skills;
b. Increasing the international recognition of the qualification;
c. Consistency in achievement standards across levels ;
d. Re-evaluating credit value for internal and external assessment;
e. Greater integration of tikanga Mori.
5.3. We believe that more qualitative and quantitative data relating to achievement
should be available to individual schools in an appropriate manner, in order to identify areas
of improvement. We recognise the value of standardized testing in certain subject areas,
specifically primary numeracy and literacy.
5.4. We encourage the government to monitor teacher and facilitator qualifications at
Partnership Schools / Kura Hourua, so that student education is not compromised. This will
help ensure the delivery of universal, world-class, and professional education services in
Aotearoa New Zealand.
5.5. We acknowledge the important role that early childhood education (ECE) plays in
learning and development, and encourage the government to continue investing in free,
mandatory ECE, particularly for children at 4 years until they start primary school.
5.6. We recognise issues arising from the lack of basic understanding in areas such as
taxation, insurance, contracts, and the development of good financial habits. We recommend
the introduction of compulsory financial literacy into primary and early secondary education,
in order to support the growth of independent, self-sufficient members of society.
5.7. We suggest the increase of subsidies towards tertiary fees, in order to provide more
equitable access.
5.8.
We suggest that the road code and basic driving skills be taught in school.
5.9. We encourage increased flexibility and accessibility to programs for disabled and
intellectually disadvantaged students within schools systems.
5.10. We strongly recommend that the government implement compulsory foreign language
learning at primary and intermediate school. We hope that this will stimulate passion for
languages and create well-rounded New Zealanders, who are better able to communicate
and interact with foreign cultures and societies.
ENVIRONMENT
6.1. We believe in a more sustainable primary sector, which should be
achieved by reducing farming intensity, educating stakeholders, and enacting
restorative measures. In particular, Aotearoa New Zealand needs to reduce
the amount of pollutants leaching into freshwater systems, reduce CO2 and
methane emissions, as well as reassess current commercial livestock numbers.
We recommend further research into these areas and communicating safe and
preventative agricultural practices, while acknowledging our commitment to
kaitiakitanga.
6.2. We recommend the inclusion of youth in protecting Aotearoa New Zealands
environment through awareness and involvement in more environmental programs.
This should target youth broadly and be done through accessible and appropriate
avenues. In particular, we recommend extending formal sustainability education in
high schools to create environmentally responsible citizens in the future.
6.3. We wish to commend the Department of Conservation on their achievements
in the field of conservation. In order for the Department of Conservation to be able
to save endemic species - our natural, living taonga, such as the Mauis Dolphin
- they must receive more funding. Such funding should focus on maintaining and
building their work in pest control, animal rehabilitation, conservation, research and
monitoring.
6.4. We recommend government invest in renewable energy sources to make
Aotearoa New Zealand less reliant on fossil fuels and mining, and to cease deep-sea
oiling, drilling and fracking. This is because these practices poses a permanent risk
to our ecosystem, particularly our biodiversity, and will only lead to further pollution.
6.5. We recommend that the government invest in the research and implementation
of alternative sustainable fishing methods to move away from trawling. We believe
that this change will preserve both our fish stocks and marine biodiversity for future
generations.
6.6. We believe agriculture should be included within Aotearoa New Zealands
Emissions Trading Scheme. We hope that this can result in greater regulation and
incentives concerning the environmental impacts of primary industries. We also
recommend measures such as carbon taxation or investigating other appropriate
subsidies to promote sustainable agricultural and industry practices.
6.7. We believe that the government should amend existing exhaust emissions
standards. This is to better differentiate between vehicles that produce differing
degrees of emissions. We recommend implementing long-term incentives and
subsidies to help move towards low-emission vehicles, as well as taxing or
implementing import tariffs on high-emission vehicles.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
8.1. We congratulate Aotearoa New Zealand on its successful election to
the UN Security Council. We trust that Aotearoa New Zealand will maintain its
status as an independent moral voice and peace-broker. We would like to see
objectivity and integrity in engagement with issues of international security, such
as the resolution of civil conflicts, like the Ukrainian crisis, and acts of terrorism,
including those committed by Boko Haram.
8.2. We call for more comprehensive public consultation with all age groups in Aotearoa
New Zealand, as well as more rigorous parliamentary debate prior to any decision to enter
international conflict. Especially for engaging with youth, the implementation of online
referendums can increase the ease of gauging their opinions. New Zealanders need the
opportunity to influence and scrutinise such actions before they are taken, and it is the
duty of the government to provide these opportunities so that public opinion is taken
into account, especially given the significance of such decisions.
8.3. We support the prioritisation of the Pacific for our Official Development
Assistance. Further, we encourage increased support for education, human rights
initiatives and expertise-sharing in the region, it is our duty to lead and support our
neighbours in the Pacific, and to advocate for them internationally.
8.4. We urge the government to re-evaluate its refugee quota, given the
increasing number of people displaced due to global humanitarian crises and
climate change. We also call for a commitment in the 2016 budget to improving
and expanding services aimed at fully integrating refugees and asylum seekers
into Aotearoa New Zealand society.
8.5. We would like Aotearoa New Zealand to champion the expansion of the
term refugee as defined by the United Nations Refugee Agency to include
refugees of climate change, and to do so by investigating this change in national
legislation. We believe that it is Aotearoa New Zealands duty as a leader in the
Pacific region to set such an example.
8.6. We believe Aotearoa New Zealand should invest more in student and
professional exchange programmes. These are an effective way to strengthen
relationships with other countries and allow for cultural and intellectual ties
to be forged. There should be a special focus on non-traditional partners
in South America and Africa, and investment should ideally target NonGovernmental Organisations such as Rotary, or publicity for exchange
programs.
GOVERNANCE
9.1. We encourage the government to adopt the recommendations
put forward by the Electoral Commission in regards to abolishing
the coat-tail rule and lowering the threshold from 5% to 4%, in an
attempt to improve the fairness and effectiveness of our electoral
system.
9.2. We urge the government to entrench the Bill of Rights Act 1990 in
order to further protect the basic rights and freedoms of all New Zealanders.
9.3. We call on the government to hold a non-binding referendum on the
question of whether Aotearoa New Zealand should become a republic, in
order to determine popular opinion on this issue.
9.4. We recommend that the government extend the length of the
parliamentary term to four years to provide scope and encourage vision for
long-term government initiatives.
9.5. We affirm the increasingly prevalent trend of judges incorporating
the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi into their judgments, and prefer this to
the idea of codifying the Treaty in statute.
9.6. We endorse the re-introduction of the Constitution Conversation to
further determine public opinion on the issue.
9.7. We strongly recommend that the government initiate a review of the
compulsory voting system modelled in New South Wales and its suitability
for implementation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
HAUORA
10.1. We believe that the government should always consider the
Whare Tapa Wha model when creating health policies. This will ensure
a holistic approach is always taken towards the hauora of the nation.
10.2. We recommend the implementation of increased funding into the Very Low
Cost Access Scheme (VLCAS) to encourage clinics to provide more affordable and
accessible services after hours as those in lower socio-economic households find it
harder to access GPs.
10.3. We believe that when health professionals treat mental illness many personal
factors of the patient must be taken into account such as mental, physical, spiritual and
social and be included in the recovery process. This will ensure recovery methods are as
comprehensive and effective as possible.
10.4. We advocate for rape to be included as a legal ground for abortion in Aotearoa
New Zealand. Pregnancy as a result of rape is greatly detrimental to the overall hauora of
the victim. We would also like to see the reasonable expansion of the ground for abortion
in general to preserve the rights of women and the rights of individuals.
10.5. We recommend the implementation of more education around mental illness in
secondary schools and more funding put towards public awareness in order to remove
the stigma around mental illness.
10.6. We recommend the reduction of GST on fresh fruit and vegetables to increase
accessibility and an increased GST on carbonated drinks to act as a discouragement of
purchase. This will encourage healthy eating habits, the lack of which has created an
obesity problem in Aotearoa New Zealand.
10.7. We recommend that a compulsory education for Year 10 students surrounding
contraceptives and the emergency measures available to them be implemented. We think
greater awareness will create more informed choices and lower teen pregnancy rates.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
14.1. We strongly recommend raising the legal age at which a child leaves foster
care from 17 to 18, in addition to implementing provisional support, monitoring and
network systems to combat social isolation and ease the transition to independence.
14.2. We believe that social equality in society needs to be addressed through a stronger
focus on collective responsibility and collaborative relationships between the state, community
agencies and whanau. Government policy should consider the significance of self-sufficiency
and social inclusiveness in fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect across Aotearoa
New Zealand.
14.3. We recommend the provision of necessary resources and incentives to keep young
people who are susceptible to poverty in the schooling system and allow them to achieve
higher education as a targeted approach to breaking the poverty cycle. This will prevent
reliance on the benefit system; as well as encouraging independence, self-sufficiency, greater
societal contribution and equality.
14.4. We actively endorse introducing a nationwide warrant of fitness for all rental property,
particularly state housing. This ensures that all tenants are living in adequate conditions to
maintain their health and wellbeing.
14.5. We encourage a proactive approach to family and domestic violence at its root
through a stronger emphasis identifying risk factors and addressing persistent social,
gender and ethnic inequalities. A prioritization of reciprocal care, restoring connection and
family reunification is key to establishing healthy relationships and support systems within
communities.
14.6. We acknowledge that attitudes in Aotearoa New Zealand toward the reality of the
youth binge-drinking culture must change. We believe that in order to foster a greater focus
on safe and responsible consumption of alcohol, the underlying social influences faced by
young people needs to be addressed through youth-for-youth initiatives.
14.7. We encourage the government to prioritise the funding and provision of state housing
to increase the capacity of beneficiaries of all demographics in need of accommodation
support, particularly young people who have been identified as most vulnerable.
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
15.1. We believe a review committee made up of youth from a range of backgrounds
should be formed with a focus on ensuring that Aotearoa New Zealand youth are
not unfairly portrayed within the media. We feel that the media disproportionately
focuses on the negative stereotypes of the youth in this country and fails to
adequately recognise the positive actions and behaviour of our youth today.
15.2. We recognise current efforts made by youth councils and other organisations that
work to benefit whakaurunga rangatahi in minority groups, smaller cities and towns. We
strongly encourage the further implementation and establishment of these organisations
and youth councils to combat the underrepresentation of youth minorities, as well as youth
in smaller cities and towns, in the national arena.
15.3. We recommend that the government encourage relevant organisations to recognise
the mana and potential of Mori and Pacific Island (MPI) youth. This should be achieved
by incorporating kotahitanga into their approach while promoting youth opportunities.
NZ youth platforms often appear unrelatable and unapproachable to MPI youth, which
leads to a lack of involvement.
15.4. We propose that the government encourages schools to implement a
standardised binding contract between schools, parents and guardians, and students
regarding cyber-bullying. This agreement would grant schools the authority to enforce
consequences in response to cyber-bullying incidents involving their students both
in and out of school hours.
15.5. We recommend that the government provide further funding to organisations
working for or with youth living in poverty. This is to ensure all youth have adequate
access to the basic necessities such as education, healthcare, and nutrition. We
believe the rights of all youth, as stated in the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of the Child (UNCROC), need to be further recognised and enforced.
15.6. We propose that the government and NGOs work together with
schools and media to further promote youth mental health services in an effort
to increase awareness and understanding of said services. We appreciate the
current efforts made by the government and organisations that are working
towards combating youth mental health issues.
15.7. We believe that there is an under-appreciation of how crucial the voice
of youth is in the development of the Aotearoa New Zealand society. An
increased whakamaiohatanga of youth will empower them to reach their
potential and thus take full advantage of opportunities made available to
them.
Tikanga Glossary:
taonga - Treasure, applied to anything considered to be of
value including socially or culturally valuable objects, resources,
phenomenon, ideas and techniques.
kaitiakitanga - Guardianship, stewardship, trusteeship, or trustee.
tngata - People, men, persons, or human beings.
tikanga - The customary system of values and practices that have
developed over time and are deeply embedded in the social context.
mana - Prestige, authority, control, power, influence, or status.
kotahitanga - Unity, togetherness, solidarity, or collective action.
hauora - The concept of well-being encompassing the physical, mental and
emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of health.
rangatahi - Younger generation, youth.
whanaungatanga - Relationships through shared experiences and working
together which provides people with a sense of belonging.
whakamaiohatanga - To cause appreciation, welcome, or token of regard.
whakaurunga - Enrolment, introduction, admission, entry, or participation.
Starpath, Adolescent Health Research Group, Auckland High Court, Poto Williams, Damien
Rogers, Dannie Cullen, Gehan Gunesekara, Michelle Pratt, Christina Leung, Lisa Callagher,
Arthur Grimes, John Ip, Jacqui Southey, Nigel Kapa
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